Converying apparatus



April 30, 1957 R. J. GAUBERT 2,790,540

CONVEYING APPARATUS Original Filed Oct. 19. 1948 14 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. Rene J. Gauber/ ATTORNE Y5 April 30, 1957 R. J. GA UBERT CONVEYING APPARATUS 14 Shets-Sheet 2 Original Filed Oct. 19. 1948 I N VEN TOR. I

J -buber/ 19 TTORNE V5 April 30, 1957 R. J. GAUBERT CONVEYING APPARATUS 14 Sheets-Sheet 3 Original Filed Oct. 19. 1948 L xv I INVENTOR Fermi Gauber/ ATTORNEYS April 30, 1957 R. J. GAUBERT CONVEYING APPARATUS Original Filed Oct. 19. 1948 14 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR.

ATTORNEYS April 30, 1957 R. J. GAUBERT CONVEYING APPARATUS l4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Original Filed 001:. 19. 1948 INVENTO l2. .Pene J Gauberf ATTORNEYS A ril 30, 1957 R. J. GAUBERT 2,790,540

CONVEYING APPARATUS Original Filed Oct. 19. 1948 14 Sh'eets-Sheet e i INVENTOR.

BY neJ Gaubef/ ,4 TTORNE Y5 April 3 1957 R. J. GAUBERT 2,790,540

CONVEYING APPARATUS Original Filed Oct. 19, 1948 14 Sheets-Sheet 7 FIE... 'L.IL I98 INVENTOR. ne J Gauerf A 7'TORNE Y5 April 1957 R. J. GAUBERT 2,790,540

CONVEYING APPARATUS Original Filed Oct. 19. 1948 14 Sheets-Sheet 8 FllEi LE FJLIE J E ENTOR. v

J (Fez/bar)- BY A dad a A TTORNEYS April 30, 1957 R. J. GAUBERT CONVEYING APPARATUS Original Filed Oct. 19. 1948 14 Sheets-Sheet 9 F I E .LQ

INVENTOR.

Qne J Gauberf A TTORN E Y5 April 30, 1957 R. J. .GAUBERT CONVEYING APPARATUS 14 Sheets-Sheet 11 Original Filed Oct. 19. 1948 I m [U INVENTOR :Peneiauberf ATTORNEYS April 30, 1957 R. .1. GAUBERT 2,790,540

CONVEYING APPARATUS Original Filed Oct. 19. 1948 14 Sheets-Sheet 12 INVENTOR Rene J Gauber'f ill/w Mr-M ATTORNEY S April 30, 1957 R. J. GAUBERT CONVEYING APPARATUS 14 Sh eets-Sheet 15 Original Filed Oct 19. 1948 \w 3+5 o3 A ma 313m w n-mn mH-lmn mmwf mflwlwn ATTORNEYS April 30, 1957 R. J. GAUBERT CONVEYING APPARATUS l4 Sheets-Sheet 14 Original Fi1ed 0ct. 19, 1.948

.INVEN'TOR laene J G'auberf BY \Z ATTOQNEY S eoNvEYnuG arranarus Rene J; Gaubert, fiakland, Califi, assignor, by IE15il assignments, to Food Machinery andChemical (Sor poration, San-Jose,.Calif., a corporatien of Delaware Original application October 19, 1948, SerialNo. 55,395. Divided and this application-knelt 1950, Serial-No. 167,404

7 Claims. (Cl. 193-224) This'invention relates generally toconveying apparatus;

suitable; for? the transfer. ofv various objects-between operating stations. It is particularly applicable: for-use inconjunction with bag filling operations;

This application is a division of my copendingiapplication Serial No. 55,395,: filed October 19, 1948; now Patent No. 2,676,442, for BaggingMachinef In my aforesaid application Serial No. 55,395; now- Patent No. 2,676,442, there'is'disclosed amachine-which servestto manufacture bags fromCellophane, Pliofilm or like material,- and to fillthese bags automatically with. variousv products such as: candy, nuts, driedfruits: and Such a machine, requires special conveying. means to convey. the bags through. the various operating Thus the bags after'their manufacturemustzbe conveyed successively toa' filling station wherethe bags.

thelike.

stations.

are opened and a measured amount ofthe product inserted. From the filling station the bags must be trans-- type of conveyingmeans capable of movingtthe bags inter-- mittently. and whichwill passthe bags through the various operating stations without injury or spill.

Another object of theinventionis to provide conveying,

meansv of the above character which will make possible any number of desired stations for carryingout'operations on the bag, thereby accommodating as many operations as may be desired.

Additional objects and features of the inventionwill appear. from the following description in whichthe preferred embodiment has been illustrated in conjunction with the accompanying drawing.

Referring to the drawing:

Figure 1 is an end elevational view illustratingamachine incorporating thepresent invention.

Figure 2 is a plan view. of the machine;

Figure 3 is a detail on an enlarged scale,,showing cer tainparts at the same end of, the machine illustrated" in Figure 1.

Figure 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional detail taken along the line-4-4of Figure 3.

Figure -5 is an enlarged section taken along the-line; 5-5' of FigureZ, showing some of the same parts illustrated in Figure 1, including'particularly-the-means for'conveyin'g bags from the-bag making machine to thetransfer andconveyingmeans.

Figure 6 isa cross-sectional. detail taken" along the line 6-6 of Figure 5.

Figure 6A is a detail in sectionsh'owing the way in.

which a bag is engagedby the belts/18 50.

Figure 7 is a cross=sectionaldetail taken along theline 7-7 of Figure 5.

Figure .8 is an enlarged cross-sectional detail taken. along the line 8-8 of Figure'-2, andillustrating'a' portion of the.

pneumatic meansemployed to prevent'the fill of a bag which has improperly-opened;

Figure 9 is a cross-sectional detail taken along. the line 9-9' of Figure 8', andlikewise-showingparts,ofithe pneumatic meansemployed'to prevent fill of a bag which has notproperly opened.

Figure 10 is a" cross sectionalview taken along the line.

10-10 of-Figure Z, showingvarious parts of the-machine,

including'parts of the transfer and" conveying means and the bag filling means;

Figure 11 is a cross sectional'viewtaken along the line 11-11 of Figure 2', and showing'variousparts of the machine including certain of the drivingel'ements.

Figure 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 12-12 of Figure 1-1 Figure 13 is a cross-sectional view taken alongthe line 13-13'0f Figure-11.

Figure 14 is a cross-sectional view taken-along th'e line atingunits for the bag engagingelements are actuated to intermittently move the bags from. one station to the next.

Figure'24 to 26-inclusive are diagrammatic detailsinsection illustrating the operation ofparts, in a bag filling operation.

Figures'27 and-28 are sideand edge views respectively showing a typical bag such asmanufactured' by the bag making unit of my-PatentNo. 2,347,902.

Figure29 is afront view ofa'portionof my machine, particularly the". parts constituting; the intermittent conveying means 23,.other partsbeing'removed for clarity.

Figure 30-is a plan view'of the sameparts illustrated in Figure 29:

Figures 31 and 32 are side elevational views in section, illustrating another embodiment of the bagfillingmeans, and showing the same in two different operating positions.

Figure33ris a side elevational view in section, illustratinganother embodiment. of'the bag1filling-means.

Figure: 34 isa plan. view of the bag-filling means-illus trated. in Figure 33.

In order to facilitate an understanding of the con veying means forming the present invention, l have illustrated it. incorporatedrin a'completebagging machine as disclosed and claimed in'the aforesaidcopending: application. Serial. No. 55,395,,now Patent No; 2,676,4d2;

Referring to Figures. 1 and. 2, this machine generally includes a bag-maliingunitZl, conveying meansZZ-Which receives the bags from. the bagmaking, unit, intermittent conveying means 23 which receives the. bags: and presents'thern to the several'operating stations, themeasuring andbagfilling unit 24, the weigh check station 25 and the sealing unit 26.

For the bag making unit I prefer to use a machine which will prepare the bags from a web of material, and present them successively to the conveying means 22. A suitable machine for this purpose is disclosed and claimed in my Patent No. 2,347,902, entitled Bag Makmg Machine and Methods. Thus as illustrated in the drawing the bag making unit'comprises a. frame 31 which can be suitably attached to the main frame 32 of the machine, and which provides a working table 33. The rear end of the machine is arranged 'to support the roll 34 of suitable bag making material such as moistureproof Cellophane or Pliofilm, and the web 36 from this roll is shown extending over the rolls 37, 38 and 39, and from thence under the rear end of the former mandrel 41. This mandrel corresponds to themandrel 91 of Patent 2,347,902. Overlying the mandrel 41 there is an electrically heated sealer 42, the lower surface of which is T shaped. The sealer is periodically reciprocated to perform sealing operations on the bottom end of the bag, and for making the longitudinal scam.

As explained in said Patent 2,347,902 the machine incorporates means for folding a projecting portion of the bag material over the forward end of the mandrel, immediately preceding the sealing operation, together with means for thereafter reciprocating the mandrel to translate the finished end of the bag into engagement with the rollers 43 and 44, which correspond to the rollers 116, 117 of Patent 2,347,902. In addition knives (not shown in detail) are provided in proximity with the feed rolls 43 and 44, which sever the finished bag from the remainder of the material along a line adjacent to but spaced from a vertical plane coincident with the axes of rollers 43, 44.

The cycle of operation of the bag making machine is clearly disclosed in my Patent 2,347,902. Briefly, as the web of material is drawn beneath the mandrel 41, the two side margins of the web are folded over the top of the mandrel into overlapping relation. Assuming that a previous bag has been completed, the overlapping portions of the web will be heat sealed for a substantial distance from the cut end of the material, so that in effect there is a tube of bag froming material about the mandrel. A sufficient amount of material projects beyond the end of mandrel 41, to form the bottom of a bag. Folding means turns the projecting end of the material over the top of the end of the mandrel, and immediately .thereafter the heat sealing means 42 is depressed to heat seal the bottom of the bag, and at the same time to extend the length of the longitudinal seam. The mandrel is then reciprocated so that the folded over and heat sealed end of the bagis translated into engagement with the rollers 43 and 44, and at the same time these rollers are rotated in opposite directions to draw a predetermined lengthof material from the mandrel. The rollers are then separated a sufficient amount to release their grip upon the bag, and then the cutting means severs the bag a short distance from rollers 43, 44. During this cutting operation rotation of the rollers 43, 44 is interrupted, but immediately after the bag is cut, the rollers are rotated again for a short interval to advance the cut bag by the conveying means to be presently described. This last rotation occurs during a sealing operation for forming the next bag. As will be presently explained a common drive is provided for the bag making unit and other parts of the bagging machine, whereby the bags are made at a rate corresponding to the rate with which the bags are received and successively filled by the remainder of the machine. The means for rotating and releasing rollers 43, 44, and the construction of the completed bags, will be presently described in greater detail.

-The conveying means 22 forms a part of the present invention and is so constructed that it takes the individual bags from the bag making unit, and delivers them successively to a receiving station of the conveying means 23. The construction of the conveyipgrneans22 can be '4 best seen in Figures 5 and 6, taken together with Figure 2. The roller 43 is shown provided with a plurality of grooves 47 serving to track the looped ends of the laterally spaced belts 48. Roller 44 is provided with grooves 49 for tracking the laterally spaced belts 50.

A pair of laterally spaced parallel rollers 51 and 52 are rotatably carried by the mounting brackets 53 and 54. Roller 51 is provided with grooves 56 for tracking the belts 48. Roller 52 is provided with grooves 59 for tracking the belts 50. In this particular instance there are three belts 48, and four belts 50, and the two sets of belts are in interposed vertical planes as shown in Figure 6. The upper runs of the belts 50 preferably have light contact with the transverse roller 61. The lower runs of the belts 50 engage a portion of the periphery of roller St between the grooves 56. The belts 48 and 50 can be made of suitable material such as resilient rubber, or as endless helicoid wire springs as illustrated. The upper runs of the belts 48, and the lower runs of the belts 50, are preferably slightly interleaved whereby when a bag 1 progresses to the left from engagement with the rollers 43 and 44 (Figuires 6 and 6A) the bag is caused to assume a corrugated form whereby it is held in light frictional engagement with the belts.

As previously explained in the operation of the machine the rollers 43 and 44 are rotated in a particular manner for the purpose of withdrawing the finished bag from the forming mandrel, and for advancing it to the conveying means 23. The mechanism for effecting this rotation is shown in Figure 2. At one side of the bag making machine the shaft for the lower roller 43 is coupled to an overrunning clutch 66, and on the other side is coupled to a second overrunning clutch 67. The drive shafts of the two overrunning clutches 66, 67 are connected to pinions (not shown) which in turn are operated by the reciprocating racks 68, 69. Back 68 corresponds with the gear rack 152 of my Patent 2,347,902 (see Figure 8 of that patent) and is operatively attached to an adjustable throw crank, which in turn is mounted upon the main transverse shaft 72 of the bag making machine, all as shown in said Patent 2,347,902. Thus for each bag making cycle reciprocation of the rack 68 causes a predetermined amount of rotation of the roller 43 in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in Figure 1.

Upon the other side of the bag making machine (see Figure 8) the rack 69 is similarly connected to a crank disc 71, which in turn is mounted upon the same transverse shaft 72. The stroke of rack 69 is arranged whereby after rack 68 has caused rotation of roller 43, and there has been a period of pause, during which the bag is being severed, rack 69 causes a further amount of rotation of roller 43, which motion occurs during the heat sealing operation of the next bag making cycle. As described in said Patent 2,347,902 the means for bringing the two rollers 43 and 44 together into gripping engagement with a bag, and for separating these rollers to release the bag, includes cam means carried by the same shaft 72. This means operates to press the rollers 43 and 44 upon the bag during the rotation caused by rack 68, and then the rollers are separated and remain in this relation during rotation by rack 69, and until the rollers are caused to engage the next bag.

It will be evident that as the finished bag is being con veyed by the belts 48 and 50, it is caused to be bent over the roller 51 and then discharged downwardly in a substantially vertical plane intermediate the aXes of rollers 51 and 52. In order to aid the proper downward discharge of the bag I provide stripper fingers 76 and '77 which are attached to an adjacent stationary part of the machine, and which have curved upper ends accommodated in the supplemental grooves'78 and 79, provided in the rollers 51 and 52 (see Figure 6). In addition spaced guide plates 81 and 82 can be provided to afford a dischargeslot through which the bags are caused to pass.

The conveying means designated generally at 23 receives; the finished: bags: from the. bag; making machine; and then intermittently progressesthese bagsethroughthe.

variousoperating stations, includingtor example automatic filling, weighing; andsealing, The: detailedconstruction illustrated includes a-horizontal table or counter 86 which. extendsv along, the front of the machine, and

which is attachedto the upper ends of thev vertical- The standards 87 are threaded standards87- (Figure slidably; carried by, the castings 88, each of.- which contains a'pinion threaded upon the'associated standard 87 and gearing;associated with. the pinion for operatively. connecting the same to the horizontal shaft 89'. At one endrof. the'machinethe shaft 89. can be connected to a hand crank to enable raising or lowering of the table- Mechanism is provided, including a pluralityof bag engaging elements, which intermittently-engage and ad Vance the bags .alongthelength of5the table=86; These elementsfinclude. the fingers 91 and 92 (FiguresZ, 29',

and. togetherwiththe elements 93m 96.. inclusive.

They are; caused to traverse a substantiallyrectangular locusforthe'purpose of engaging and. advancing each. bag-a predetermined distance, then retracting from en-' gagernent with the bag, and returningcyclically'for the next intermittent movement.

and two fingers. 92, Which are vertically spaced; Elements,93;to 96. are made to larger dimensions to provide: more substantial surfaces for engaging one sidewof the.

filled bag, The elements 91 toi96 are cooperativelyconnected with operating units 97 to 102-inclusive respectively, which are each substantially duplicates. Figures 7, 10and 11 illustrate the operating units, and adescriptionof'one unit will suflice for all. Briefly it consists of. 4 a housing 104 having an upper pair of rollers- 105, which engage the stationary horizontal guide bar- 106. The.

lower-end of the housing 104 is provided with guide rollers 167 'which engage opposite sides, of thefixed horizontal guiderod: 108. Additional rollers 109engage the top.

of the guide rod 108;

Housing 1G4-also carries a pair of vertically spaced horizontal gear racks 110,- 111, which within the housing engage the teeth of the pinions 112, 113. The teeth of these pinions are in direct engagement so that the two racks 110,- 111 are constrained to reciprocate horizontally inunison. The pinion 113 is attached to ahorizontal drive shaft 114 which extends the length of the machine between the guide bars 106, 108. Corresponding ends of the racks 110, 111 are attached to the vertical bar 11.6, which in turn forms a mounting for the bag engaging. means which in this instance is formed by element 92.

Atone end of themachine (Figure 2) rod lldis extended, and is provided with a bearing assembly 113- (Figure 4). This assembly includes a threaded sleeve 119ywithin which rod 114 may rotate and which is adjustably engaged by the nut 121. A gear rack- 122' is attached to the nut 121, and is slidably fitted in the gear housing 123. The gears within the housing 123 (Figures 3 and 4) include a pinion 124 which engages therack 122, and additional gear elements operatively connecting this gear with a reciprocating rack 126. Rack 126' has its lower end connected at 127 to. the disc 128, which is attached'to the main shaft 129. The casting 130 through which rack126 extends, may oscillate about the counter shaft 131 of thegearing. Asshaft 129. rotates, rack 126 is reciprocated through the casting .130 and asv airesult the; rack.122. is, reciprocated to reciprocate. the horizontal rod.114.

For convenience in engagingthe bagbefore it:is filled there are two fingers 91.

The rneans provided; for, rotating. the rod, 114 includes.- a. gear rack- 132! (Figure, 3.1).. which. is. slidably guided. in" the housing 133. This housing; is journaled' upon the rod.114, andcarriesa pinionwhich is splined to the rod, whereby when theu'ack 132 is reciprocated, the rod is rotated.

with a. slot. 138, forming. an. adjustable means for the pivotalrattachment 141- to.the-rack 132. A tension spring 142 urges.-the.. arm, 136.. in. a. direction. to maintain the roller, 135.. againstthecam E surface.

a groove for. positivereturn. movement.

it: will be. evident fromtheforegoing. that as, the-shaft. 129. rotates, therod. 114,.is reciprocated horizontally in the direction ofitslength over. apredetermined distance,

arid. in. addition.it is;rotated. angularly in opposite di- The contouring-and: angular displacement of rections. thecarn lfrttissuchthat r od.'114 isrrotatedto effect reciprocation of 'themacks. 110, 111 at the endof its (rod 114.). reciprocating; movement. in a. horizontal direction.

Therefore.the;hagfingagingelements carried by the racks 116,. 111; have,a..lo.cus.-. of; movement which is rectangular. lnaddition. to the-bag, engaging elements, vertical bag and sizeof bags being handled. For the location where the-bag. is. being received the,-unit.9@7. lSRSllOWll provided:

witha bracket. 151,,to, support the-vertical plate152.

This plate is disposed immediately. behind a vertical guide plate-.15 3, which' isoflimited.height-to permit the spaced fingers91topass above and below the same. In front of the plate 15 3there.is. another guide'plate 154-.which for convenience may. be. made, ofv transparentmaterial, and whicli is adjustably. carried by; suitablemeans such as bracltetslsoQ- AsshQWninFigure 1 thebag. is received.

between theplates153. and.154, for advancement. to the fillingstation.v It is. desirable adjacent this location tov provide a supplemental guide groove 157a (Figuresl and 30) for the .lower end of theb'ag, and Which-isin alignment with like, grooves 157]). and. 1570.

The.next unit 98 is, similarly provided with a. bracket.

159, serving,to supportthe-vertical platelfil. Similarly the .operating unit 99;. which is disposed adjacent the filling means, isproyidediwith abracket 162-serving to support the..plate 1 63 Units100, 101? and 102. similarly areprovided with. brackets-16.4 ,v 165- and 166, .serving respectrvely to support theplates 167, 168. and169. A

strip.or rail 171 (Figure 2 9.-)-. extendsalong. the path of movement of the bags, .through all of the. operating stat ons.

Figures 19 to 23, inclusive serveto diagrammaticallyillustrate. th s. manner. in whichthe bag engaging. elements serve to move the bags progressively from station tostation. Figure,l9 illustrates a number of bags in the successive station .a to g inclusive. elements are in their retracted position. A. bag 1 has just been deposited instation a and. the precedingbag. has. been transferred to station b. Inrstation c abag is being. filled; In stations d.to g the filled, bags are being advanced step. by step, Figure 20 illustrates the bag engaging. elements projectcdand inpreparation.- for, moving. the

In. place. of utilizing such. areturn. spring ,I. may. employ acam provided. with The bag engaging.-

'7 ments retracted. From the position of parts shown in Figure 23, the bag engaging elements return to the initial positions illustrated in Figure 19. v

The bag filling means illustrated makes use of conventional means for weighing or measuring out predetermined amounts of material to be introduced into the bags. Thus a hopper 186 is shown (Figure 2) which is employed in conjunction with a rotary member 187 which isprovided with circumferentially spaced measuring pockets 188. The intermittent rotation of member 187 serves to recurrently deliver measured quantities of a product into the depending conduit 189, (Figure Conduit 189 has slidable telescopic engagement with a conduit 191, the lower end of which is adapted to deliver the product to the bags. Shaft 192 is a part of the measuring device, and serves to turn the member 187 by angular increments suflicient to successively register the measuring pockets 188 with the conduit 189. The tubtular standard 193 (Figure 10) serves to support the hopper 186 and associated parts of the measuring device, and the lower end of this standard is carried by the mounting 194. Mounting 194 is adjustably clamped to the vertical tubular support member 196, the lower end of which is secured to a casting 197, forming a part of the machine frame. Support 196 carries a gear rack 198, which is engaged by a pinion carried by shaft 199, the latter extending laterally of the mounting 194. Manual turning of shaft 199 facilitates raising or lowering of the mounting 194. Located below the mounting 194 there is another mounting 201 which serves to support certain parts associated with the conduit 191.

The conduit 191 (Figures 10 and 12) is secured to a head 206 which is adapted to reciprocate vertically. Below the head 206 (Figure 10) the conduit 191, or an extension of the same, is cut off on a bias to form the filling spout 26?. Within the head 206 there is a slidable valve gate 208, which is adapted to be moved between open and closed positions by means to be presently described. The head 206 is mounted upon a vertically disposed structure 209 (Figure 12) which in turn is attached to the two vertically extending and laterally spaced gear racks 211. Racks 211 are retained within vertical guideways formed in portions 212 of the mounting 201. Portions 212 also enclose pinions (not shown) which engage the racks 211, and which are secured to the common shaft 213. Shaft 213 is turned in opposite directions by means including a pinion mounted upon the shaft and enclosed in the housing 216 (Figure 10). The pinion is engaged and rotated by the reciprocating gear rack 217 (Figures 10 and 12) which extends slidably Within the housing 216, and which has an operative connection 218 with the adjustable throw' crank 219. Link 221 (Figure 10) serves to connect the crank arrn 219 with a cam lever 222, which is journaled at 223 to the main frame of the machine. Arm 222 is provided with a cam roller 224, which engages the cam surface of cam 226. The cam roller is urged against the surface of the cam by the tension spring 227. Cam 226 is mounted upon the same drive shaft 129 as the cam 134.

Adjacent to the spout 207 (Figure 11) the machine is provided with forward and rear bars 231, 232 which are adapted to occupy positions in front of and to the rear of a bag in the filling operation. Bar 231 is adapted to be reciprocated relative to the bar 232. As will be presently explained each bar incorporates a suction nozzle to aid in opening the bag, and to provide a safety means. Bar 231 is shown mounted upon the forward ends of a pair of spaced horizontal racks 233 (Figure 14). These racks are slidably carried by the mounting 201, and engage a pair of pinions which are mounted upon the shaft 234 (Figure 11). This shaft in turn carries a pinion within a housing 235, and which engages the operating rack 236. The rack 236 has an adjustable connection 237 with the adjustable throw lever 238, which in turn is pivotally attached at 239 to the mounting 201. Link 241 serves to connect lever 238 with a cam arm 242, which in turn has a pivotal connection 243 with the frame of the machine. A cam roller 244 carried by arm 242 engages the surface of cam 245, which in turn is mounted upon the shaft 129. Tension spring 246 serves to urge the roller 244 in cam engaged position. As the shaft 129 rotates the rocking of arms 242 and 233 reciprocates rack 236, and as a result the shaft 234 is turned in opposite directions to project and retract the gear racks 233 together with the bar 231. Bar 232 is carried by the adjacent portion of the mounting 201, immediately behind the spout 207, when the latter is in its lowered position (Figure 11).

The valve gate 208 is preferably operated in unison with the reciprocation of the bar 231. Thus an arm 247 extends from the bar 231, and serves to mount the vertical pin 249, which slidably extends through an aperture in the gate 208. This arrangement permits raising or lowering of the head 206, while at the same time enabling reciprocation to be applied to the bar 231 to effect opening and closing of the gate 208.

Previous reference has been made to the use of pneumatic suction nozzles in conjunction with the bars 231, 232. Thus each bar 231, 232 (Figure 18) is provided with a centrally located port or nozzle 251, 252, and these ports are normally covered by the perforated plates or screens 253, 254. Port 251 is connected to a duct 256, which in turn is connected by the flexible hose 257 with the duct 258 in the bar 232. Duct 258 connects with a pipe 259 which extends to the rotary valve 261 (Figure 10). This valve in turn connects to a source of pneumatic suction, as will be presently explained, whereby at predetermined intervals suction is applied to both the nozzles or ports 251, 252, to cause the adjacent side portions of the bag to adhere to the bars 231, 232.

Pipe 262 serves to connect the valve 261 with a source of suction, and the valve in this instance is operated between open and closed positions by suitable means including a reciprocating member 263 (Figures 10), which has its upper end pivotally connected at 264 with the rotary operating part of the valve 261. The lower end of member 263 is forked at 266 to accommodate the shaft 129, and is also provided with a cam roller 267, engaging a cam 268. Cam 268 is likewise secured to the shaft 129. A tension spring 269 serves to urge the member 263 downwardly, to maintain the roller against the surface of the cam 268.

The source of suction can be a suitable suction pump 271 (Figure 9) driven continuously by the electric motor 272, and connected by pipe 273 and hose 274 with the pipe 262 of the valve 261.

Previous reference has been made to turning of shaft 192 at regular intervals for the purpose of causing the measuring apparatus to deliver measured quantities of the product into the conduit 189. Operating means for recurrently turning the shaft 192 is shown in Figure 14. Thus shaft 192 is shown attached to a ratchet wheel 281 which is adapted to be locked against counterclockwise rotation by the spring pressed pawl 282. A member 283 is journaled upon shaft 192 and carries a spring pressed pawl 284 which is adapted to engage the teeth of wheel 281, and turn the same in a clockwise direction. Member 283 is connected 'toan operating 'link 286 which extends rearwardly to the wheel or disc 287. Disc 287 is mounted upon a vertical rotating shaft 288, and carries a pin 289 which engages in an L shaped opening or slot- 291 provided in the corresponding end of the link 286. A tension spring 292 applied between link 286 and pin 289 normally urges the link to engage the pin 289 in that leg of the slot 291 illustrated in Figure 14, to thereby secure full movement of link 286 as disc 287 rotates. However when link 286 is shifted against the tension of spring 292 so that the pin 289 rides in the other leg of slot 291 (i. e. that leg parallel 9 to thelength of link 286,) the throwimpartedtq the linig 286 and the correspondingangular; movement applied to member 233.; substantially,lessandinsufficient to-enable pawl 284. to enga'gethe nest successive shoulder of the ratchet wheel 281. Therefore under such circumstances continued, turning of the disc 287 does not cause corresponding recurrent rotation of the ratchet wheel 281 This is a part of the safety means to prevent or disable the measuring device under certain circumstances, and which will, bepresently described in greater detail. To shift, the; link 286-, laterally with respect to pin 239, it isattached to a, second. link 293 hich conn c s with. he. i t-r v 9.

To review operation oi the measuring and bag filling means, when the machine is in, continuous automatic operation and thebags arebeing successively supplied pos t on Q- fille tw en the. me r 232 and below the spout2ii7) the,shaft192 extending to the a uring, meansv s. b in ccu n v ro a e ar deemiiu d. an lar. mou t... so, hat uc ess e. me s har e f h p du are deliv ed downw rd y hrough he ndui s. 1, andlfl qrbe. mp rar y. eld. rom n erin h spout y, h a an c. 11

1' with its upper end between the memberslfal and. 232

and. immediately below the spout. 207; Whenthebag.

arrives in this position the rotary valve 261 is actuated to apply suction to, both ofithe nozzles 251', 252, and as a result the two adjacent side walls of the bag are 'suckedtight against, the perforated 'plates 2'53, 254. Immediately upon application of suction in thismanner, member 231 starts 'its outward" movement away. from the member 232 and with the commencement of this movement (see FigureZS) the spout 207' starts downwardly whereby its lower endenters the upper partially open endof the bag. These motion-s continue until the member 231 reaches thelimit-ofits movement, and at the same time the spout- 207reac hes its downward, limit. Simultaneously with downward movement of the spout 207*and opening movement of the bag, the gate 208 is opened, whereby the charge of'the product is delivered downwardly through the spout into the open bag.

Upon completion of" the operation described above the spout 267- is immediately elevated; and in fact the timingcan be such thatthis spout starts to elevateas the charge of product is coming torest in the bag. At

the same time the rotary valve 261 cuts off the supply of suction with the result that the sides-of the-bag are no longer gripped by thenozzles 251, 252. When-the spout 207 has been completely retracted the bagengaging elements come into operation to move the filled bag to the next station, and to move-a new bag into position to be filled. Simultaneouslywith such movements member 231 is again moved inwardly to occupy sub stantially the position shown in-Figure 24, as a new bag comes into place.

In addition to the arrangement for applyingsuction to the nozzles 251, 252; means isprovided whereby if the side walls of the bag arenot properlygripped by suction applied to these nozzles, thenthe measuringmeans if temporarily disabled, and the valve gate 2&8

is not operated. This servesto avoidobjectionable spill of material in the event a bag is not present to be filled or in the event the bag is not in proper position-to receive a charge of material. The safe'ty-means-described above includes asolenoid 301 (Figure 8) in addition to the-solenoid 294. A link 302 connect-s the solenoid '301 with two parallel vertically extending latch arms 363, which have their lower ends, pivotedjto thefrarne at 304. A tension spring 306 serves to normally urge both latch arms 303 in a cleelewise, direction as; viewed in Figure ,8. The upper ends of a rms 3t13,.,(Eigure,1Q).

are provided with latching shoulders; 30.7, adapted ton a e studs 398 igu 12), whi h ormsext nsiqn of the pivotal connectionsbetweenthe a1 rn2,19 ,,andlink,

Figure. 'd aera n v ustr t s he pqsi i ninsc a includ ng the .conveymgmeans bagfilhngmeans, etc.-, are

2.21., ndthearm zsaansllinazsl. N rmally. t e lawn in aclOckw-ise direction, This serves in; turn. to. prevent.

the lowering of the, spout207, the movement of bar 231, d he pening ofgate 208.-

Both f he l noids 2.9 nd-. s ected to a. common energizing circuit,- which is-under the control of a diaphragm 0pe. atd switch 311., (Figure9). The operating chambenoi the, diaphragm switch 311 is in communication with the pipef273 whereby. when no substantial amount of, et-ifonexistswithin,the pipe 273, the contacts are. closed to energize. the. two. solenoids 294: and 391. This occurs when the. roller valve 261 opens and there is no, bag in proper; position forsealing over the two nozzle ports, 25,1, 25.2,. Thusunder such conditions the spout. 207' isnot loweredinto i ts filling position, and likewisethe gate 208] isnotopened. The charge 7 of product upon this gate isheldover for the ne -tbag; Simultaneously the measuring device is temporarily disabled:

The sealing uni-tillustrated consistspf, amounting 316 whieh is" carried by the frame. of the machine, and which. is provided with" a vpair of electrically heated sealing. bars;3 1;7; 3'-18:' These barsare, shown connectedby c0n-.

duit's 3-19; 321 to'the temperature control uni-L322. Bar 31 7 is carried by bracket'333' which is,fi'xed, to th'emounting-316 Bar-31,8is mountedfupon the reciprocating plunger-334;whichis connectedby link 336 to avcran-k arm 337 attached-to thevertical, shaft 338. A crank arrn339 attached 'to the; lower end. of shat-L338 is connected-bylink 34'1fto'th'e rocker 342. Thisrocltetcar- -riesa cam--roller-343; engaging acam 344', which is mounted upon theshaft 129; Roller 343 is urged toward engaged position-by the tension spring 346. Thus during carried by slida'blymounted-pins 348, and urged forwardly by the compression springs'349, In conjunction with strip 347 there isanother strip 350, which is ad: justably= carried by the brack'et351. Strips 350 and 347, acting upon opposite sides ofthevbag, above the charge of product; tend to generally gather together theupper part of the-bag and} to; eigr ehexcessivev air so that the same is-better; guided andpositioned between the heated bars 317, 318-:

The-majority of'the parts forming the drive for the machinehavebeen described above. The main transverse shaft-72 of the bag making machine is driven by a suitable electrical motor (notshown) at a proper speed, and this. shaftaisprovided with a sprocket engaging H the-.chain-fiSZIFigure 5):w-hich'ii1 turn engages a sprocket 355 m0 nted .uponsthesshaftn129." Shaft 129 also has a spr; Z 54 (Pigures;1J and; 13)::engagedby the chain 355; which inturn ccnnectswith; asprocket 356 and gearing;in-haufiingfifil fondrivingzthe. shaft 288. Thus he. s. ma g, achine. and. hfiir lhfirr: worki g p driven in proper synchronism.

rev ous eferencethastb eaimade ighi g tan n: toge her/with; weighing-m ans, at heclcweigh. the. bases-aft r they: h ve e n. fi l.ed.;-.. i able means. for.

check weighing is illustrated in Figures 13 and 15. Thus the supporting plate 861), which is free to move vertically with respect to the other parts of thejconveying counter, is attached to the upper ends of the standards 358. Standards 358 are attached to the cross-connecting member 359, which in turn is fulcrumed to one end of the weighing beam 360. The position of the weighing beam is shown by the indicator 361, which is located so that it can be viewed by the operator. Thus when a filled bag comes to rest on the plate 86b, the weight of the contents can be noted by the operator, and at this time the operator may add or subtract articles in order to provide the desired accurate weight.

It is desirable to employ guiding means in conjunction with the conveying means 23 in order to more adequately support the bag in its intermittent movements and in the various operating stages. Thus at the bag filling station (see Figures 24 to 26) it is desirable to provide an inclined strip 362 which is shown adjustably secured by bolts 363 to the stationary spacer strips 364 and which serves to support the outer sides of the bags during the filling operation. A similar guide strip or plate 365 is shown adjacent the sealing station (Figure 16).

As explained in my Patent 2,347,902, it is possible for the bag making machine illustrated to be adjusted to manufacture heat sealed bags of the type having side tucks, that is with interfolded side edges, or plain bags may be made Without such interfolds. The bag 1 illustrated in Figures 27 and 28 is provided with side tucks or interrolds, and in this instance it is made of either Pliofilm or moisture-proof Cellophane. Briefly this bag has a folded over and heat sealed bottom 2, a longitudinal overlap seal 3 on one side of the bag, and side tucks or interfolds 4. For the length of the bag indicated by the letter a, the side edges of the bag are creased, but for the remainder of the distance b at the top of the bag, the sides are uncreased. ,Therefore the top end of the bag tends to spring apart, somewhat as illustrated in Figure 28. This construction is obtained by virtue of the fact that as the bag is being withdrawn from the forming mandrel by the rollers 43 and 44, these rollers are squeezed together to form the creased sides for the distance a. However, during the cutting operation, the rollers 43 and 44 are separated, and then when they are further rotated to advance the finished bag, they are not pressed together. The bag construction just described is quite advantageous for use with my machine, because the natural tendency of the top of the bag is to spring apart to open position aids in insuring proper opening of the bag at the filling station.

Operation of the machine as a whole can be summarized as follows: Assuming that the machine is in continuous operation, the bag making proceeds to manufacture bags successively and these bags are delivered at regularly spaced intervals by the belt conveying means 22 to the receiving station of the intermittent conveying means 23. The bag is then engaged by the bag engaging elements 91 to 96 inclusive to advance the same step by step, through the various operating stations. When the bag reaches the filling station it is opened automatically to receive the filling spout 207, and to receive a measured amount of product. From thence the bag is passed to the check weigh station, where the operator notes the weight of the bag, and may add or subtract articles as may be desired. From thence the bag passes on to the heat sealing station where the top of the bag is automaticallyheat sealed. Thereafter the bags may be automatically discharged to suitable packing means, or may be automatically delivered and lined up on a suitable counter or table extension.

It will be evident that the conveying means described above serves to effectively transfer the bags from the bag making unit to the various operating stations. The bags a manual filling operation. and 381are moved apart't'o the extent of their permissible .12 are moved intermittently over predetermined distances, and while being moved the bags are engaged in such a manner as to avoid injury and to prevent spill after the bags have been filled. The conveying means is readily adjustable to accommodate bags of dilferent sizes and to accommodate addditional operating stations.

The machine disclosed in the aforementioned copending application 55,395, new Patent No. 2,676,242, may be modified in various respects. Thus another type of bag filling means is illustrated in Figures 31 and 32. In this case the head 366 is attached to the vertical parallel racks 211, and connects with the conduit 191, the same as the previous type of filling means described with reference to Figure 10. In place of using the spout 207 I provide a pair of pallets or blade-like members 367, 368. Member 367 is attached to the body of the head 366, while member 368 is attached to a slide 369, which is slidably guided in the head 366. A compression spring 370 acts between the slide 369, and a secondary member 371, which is mounted for limited lost motion or sliding movement with respect to the slide 369. The bar 231 carries an extension arm 372, which is apertured to receive a pin 373, the latter extending downwardly from the member 371. The arrangement and cycling is such that when the head 366 starts its downward movement the two blade-like members 367, 368 enter the mouth of the bag, and substantially simultaneously with their entry into the bag are moved apart. Near the limit of their movement away from each other, the suction applied to the nozzles in bars 231 and 232 is relieved, whereby the mouth of the bag is stretched over the members 367 and 368, as illustrated in Figure 32. The stretching tension exerted upon the upper part of the bag is regulated by the tension of spring 370. In other words as members 367 and 368 come to final position some mo tion occurs between the slide 369 and member 371, which is accommodated by the spring 370. Therefore the force of spring 370 is exerted in applying tension to the top of the bag, to stretch the same about the members 367 and 368. Opening movement of the blade-like members 367, 368 simultaneously acts as a valve to permit the product to drop down into the bag.

Assuming that the bag is one having pleats or gussets along its sides, a novel result is obtained by using the apparatus shown in Figures 31 and 32. As the upper part of the bag is opened and stretched about the members 367, 368, the bag is eifectively shortened because of opening of the side gussets, and as a result the lower end of the bag is lifted a short distance from its normal supporting surface. However upon the product being discharged into the bag, and the bag being released at the end of the filling operation, the bag drops down against its supporting surface, thus jarring the contents of the bag to secure a desired settling of the contents, and with a desired expansion and filling out of the lower portion of the bag.

In place of a bag filling operation which is entirely automatic, it is possible to present the bag to a filling position for manual introduction of products, particularly where the product is of such a character that it cannot be readily handled by automatic means. Thus as shown in Figure 33 a head 376 is provided with an open hopper 377. One section 377a of this hopper is fixed tothe body of the head 376, as illustrated, and the other section 377b is carried by the horizontally movable slide member 378. Blade members 379 and 381, corresponding to the members 367 and 368 of Figure 31, are likewise attached respectively to the body of the head 376 and to the slidemember 378. The side walls of the hopper 377 can be formed overlapping as illustrated in Figure 34.

With the arrangement illustrated in Figures 33 and 34, during a filling operation the members 379 and 381 enter the open end of the bag and are then spread apart for When the members 379 

